If you are anything like me you could not take your eyes off the coverage this weekend of Jennifer Wilbanks.
Selfishly, she decided she was unprepared to deal with the uncertainty surrounding her pending nuptials, grabbed her MP3 player and didn’t stop until she hit the Duke City. (Beautiful place, by the way, I used to live there.)
Rather than own up to her misgivings she ducked out of town.
Under the guise of her daily run she ran away.
Walked away from responsibility.
Turned her back on family and the groom who loves her.
Allowed the specter of murder to fall on the one prepared to have and hold her for life.
When the money was gone the enormity of her actions set in.
Did she call home and confess her acts?
No. She lied.
She made up a story blaming her disappearance upon others who “kidnapped” her.
Rather than taking responsibility she sought to repaint herself as a victim.
But this fabrication was too flimsy to stand, a house of lies built on sand.
People are now outraged. Understandably so.
How could she do such a thing?
How selfish can one person be?
How can someone put someone who loves them so dearly through such agony?

Makes me stop and think about the cross.
Jesus refers to Himself in the Gospels as a bridegroom, passionately in love with his bride, the church.
As part of that church, I shudder at the times I have jilted Him.
At the times I run away into a future of my own ill-prepared design.
You see, I too, have been a runaway bride.
Too often when I have recognized my folly I have sought to cover it up.
Haven’t we all?

• Rather than admitting sin, we redefine it as a mistake, an addiction, or a lifestyle choice.
• Rather than taking responsibility we blame our actions on someone else.
• Rather than relishing the immense love He holds for us we embrace a “self-love” that just leaves us broke, dazed and confused at 7-11.

God should have nothing to do with us for our penchant to flee.
He should leave us clutching that pay-phone listening to the steady drone of a dial-tone.

They are deciding now whether or not to prosecute her and sue her for the cost of the search.

But get this.
Are you ready?
You won’t believe it.

Her fiancee still wants to marry her!

Is he a fool? Maybe.
Could he find someone to love him better? Probably.
Does he love her? Obviously.

Again, just like Jesus.
Even though we run from Him. He still waits.
He still longs for that relationship with us.
And when we find ourselves broke, alone and confused He still waits.
At the end of the old dirt road.
For the prodigal.
For the runaway bride.
To come home to Him.

I a little more sympathetic to Jennifer Wilbanks now.
That’s my story too.
Praise Jesus He still loves me.
Praise God He still lets me come home when I run away.
That’s Amazing Grace.